Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty, along with comedian Bharti Singh and her husband Harsh Limbachiyaa, have been summoned by the Delhi Police in connection with an alleged Rs 500-crore app-based fraud. The trio has been asked to join the investigation next week, according to officials.

The Delhi Police revealed that they had busted the scam linked to a mobile application called HIBOX, which allegedly lured people into investing money with promises of high returns. The app, launched in February 2024, gained popularity through promotion by various social media influencers and YouTubers. So far, over 500 complaints have been filed, with victims claiming they were deceived into investing money based on these promotions.

Rhea Chakraborty, Bharti Singh, and Harsh Limbachiyaa are among those who endorsed the app, according to an officer involved in the investigation. The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit has issued notices to them, urging their cooperation in the ongoing probe.

In addition to these celebrities, several other influencers and content creators, including Abhishek Malhan, Elvish Yadav, Lakshay Choudhary, Purav Jha, Saurav Joshi, Adarsh Singh, Amit, and Dilraj Singh Rawat, have been named in the investigation. The police allege that these individuals promoted HIBOX on social media, which attracted over 30,000 investors. The app promised users guaranteed returns ranging from one to five per cent daily, leading to potential monthly returns of 30 to 90 per cent.

On Friday, Abhishek Malhan, Elvish Yadav, Lakshay Choudhary, and Purav Jha were summoned by the Delhi Police but reportedly did not appear for questioning. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities determined to bring those responsible to justice.

The prime accused, Sivaram, a 30-year-old resident of Chennai, has already been arrested. Police are continuing to gather evidence and expect more revelations in the days to come as they look into the roles of the influencers who allegedly promoted the fraudulent app.

As the case unfolds, questions about the responsibility of social media influencers and celebrities in promoting potentially fraudulent schemes are gaining attention, with many investors demanding accountability for their financial losses.

(With agency inputs)